Virtual March

On April 22nd, 2017, Nashville is marching for science and climate at Legislative Plaza. We want to give everyone, including those who cannot attend in person, a chance to march in solidarity. Please share your stories. Tell us why science is important to you and/or why climate change concerns you, and your photos. We will publish them here for fellow marchers to enjoy.

By virtually growing up on a farm, I learned how humans and other organisms interact and how those interactions affect the environment. Early on I saw the detritus left behind by those who came before us. Glass beer bottles and aluminum beer cans were a common sight at the bottom of creek beds. One time, a deer we hunted had plastic in its stomach.
Living in the country has reminded me that humans do not exist outside of nature, but that we are deeply intertwined within it. We must preserve the Earth; it is not ours to destroy. The Earth does not need us, we need her.

I am not a scientist but I believe in investigation and discovery. The answers that science has revealed and continues to reveal about us, our world, and our universe, are awesome, in the original, old-fashioned meaning of that word. I don’t understand the concept of science interfering with beliefs. Science reveals the truths of our existence.

Every historic advancement in all great civilizations is borne of scientific discovery. The discipline of science is not some secret conspiracy. Rather, scientists around the world “conspire” to unlock the secrets of the universe, to learn how it works and how people might benefit from it, while preserving those resources and knowledge for the future of all. I march for my niece and nephew, for the beauty of the world that endures, and for the promise of countless discoveries to come. A climate where scientific research is constrained creates a world where humanity’s boundless potential is constricted. A climate where science is respected is foundational and essential to the future of human enterprise. Let it never be said, “We know enough.”

I am virtually marching today because I see science improving life in my field every day. Smaller and smaller amounts of electricity is needed to power our electronics and devices thanks to science. I know we can switch our methodologies and use far less electricity in this country because I see it happening in my industry daily. These money hungry monopolies don’t need to be allowed to ruin our air and water unnecessarily for their own profit. I sprained my ankle at work yesterday and am unable to walk today but I’m marching virtually.

As a student teacher, I had the honor of teaching science. This is the one subject where the curriculum wasn’t dictated to me, no textbook. I had the opportunity to create lessons from scratch, in which my students had the opportunity to explore and discover. At the end of my first learning segment, on ecosystems, I had a student say to me, “thank you for making science fun” and “thanks for telling me I’m good at it.” To this, I responded, “everyone can be good at this.” I firmly believe that, but sadly, in an antiscience society, that hinders their success. Science is what drives or economy and civilization. Publicly funded research brought us inventions like the vacuum and microwave. In every great civilization in history, the end of scientific advancement has marked the decline of the empire. This is not what I want to see happen to America. It’s my job to inspire tomorrow’s next generation of scientists. I want them to enter a world where that inspiration won’t be in vain.

I support science because it is one of key methods for understanding ourselves and our place in the universe, and because I see the importance of scientific knowledge and the scientific method in everyday life not only for humans but for our entire planet. Although I cannot be there physically, I can happily write that I support science 100%, and I am excited that my future career is in the sciences.

I March for Science because science is for everyone. Scientific progress develops better infrastructure ,treatments for diseases, and works for a cleaner Earth. As a scientist I want to work for everyone, not for a single interest or body. I want science everywhere to make the world a better place. This is why I march.

I am virtually marching because I work in research, and I can clearly see that the health and well-being of my family is directly dependent on all of the scientists working so hard to help us all live or best lives.

I virtually march for science because I’m a scientist. Because I grew up in Oak Ridge, TN, the “city of scientists.” I march because the car that gets us to the march, the Facebook post that alerted us to the event, and the phone that I use to coordinate with my friends are all the result of a scientist wondering “what if?”
I march because I had massive ear infections as a child. I would not have survived without science. I march because my son was conceived with the help of science. I march because my daughter had a kidney disorder and would not be alive and healthy today without science. I march because I don’t know anyone whose life is not made better by science, and yet I know so many who think what we scientists do is a waste–of time, of money–or an infringement on their precious beliefs.
I don’t have beliefs to reconcile. God gave us the universe. We are charged with being stewards. And we serve through science!

Sorry I cannot be with you today. I wholeheartedly support the March for Science and Climate. Tennessee is fortunate to have such a plethora of significant scientific and engineering institutions that have resulted in such achievements as Element 117 being named Tennessine. This eternal achievement was primarily through the efforts of Professor Joseph Hamilton of Vanderbilt being part of the team that isolated the element. Without the rigor of science and outstanding engineering, we, in Tennessee, would not have achieved what we have though there is still a long way to go. There is no such thing as alternative scientific facts-only what can be postulated and verified. With the largely abandonment of basic science research by private industry, we need the federal government to enable our country to maintain its lead in science and engineering. This research has led to many of the industries that are producing the highly paid jobs that our country needs.

Science is so important to all of us, it has shaped our past, our present and will determine our future. If we do not use the abundance of scientific knowledge and evidence, and utilize the talents of the many scientists who devote their lives to understanding the world around us, we will fail. We must live responsibly on this early, and we must rely on science to do so.

I salute you out there & wish I could’ve been with you today. You are my heroes today! Science has been dealt blows like this throughout it’s history – church vs. science – politics vs. science. It always wins… what is a fact – IS A FACT!!!

So excited to see the pictures of everyone marching today! I’m sorry I couldn’t there in person. How has science impacted my life? I few up in the Sierra Nevada mountains and went to a very small school. Our science class was the living, breathing great outdoors. No books for us – we did field work! Nature hikes in various micro-climates were my favorite. At night, being at a high altitude with no light pollution provided the BEST view of the stars and the Milky Way….How could I not believe in the greatness of the universe and want to study/learn all about it?

I’ve been a space-nerd my whole life. The science behind flight, the science to get us to the moon, the science astronauts practice in zero-gravity…it all impacts us daily! I just can’t imagine a world where we don’t have the drive, the spirit, the creativity, the intelligence to keep exploring!

Now my science is focused on being kind to our beautiful planet. I know that science was used to help us grow more food, that was more productive and disease resistant. We now know, through further scientific study, that those modifications and chemicals are not the best for our bodies and the planet. Science is true to the study…shows us how to correct our mistakes (while corporate greed and politics play games).